National Issues Forums Institute Executive Director

Position: Executive Director, National Issues Forums Institute

Reports to: Chair, NIFI Board of Directors

Salary: $90,000-$120,000 dependent on experience with 3% annual raise and bonus opportunities upon successful evaluation

Benefits: A generous and negotiable benefits package

Location: 100% remote

Summary:

The National Issues Forums Institute (NIFI) is the premier private operating foundation leading and innovating the field of deliberative democracy. With a storied, 40-year history supporting communities, colleges, libraries, workplaces, and government in using deliberation to address public problems, NIFI has strong connections in its work. The model of deliberation NIFI innovated is the most widely used and empirically proven model of deliberation.

The NIFI Board of Directors is seeking a qualified Executive Director capable of leading NIFI to national and international prominence. The Executive Director will be the chief executive of the foundation, driving the execution of the strategic plan, pursuing competitive and donor-driven funding, developing the foundation’s network of practitioners and scholars, while also managing a collection of staff and independent contractors. Pushing NIFI into new territory while also being responsive to current trends in the field, the executive director will be the public face of the foundation and of NIFI’s model of deliberation.

Specifically, NIFI is seeking an Executive Director that can:

• Provide strategic leadership for the organization and the field of deliberative democracy. The executive director will articulate NIFI’s mission, vision, and theory of change to a wide and diverse audience, positioning NIFI to capitalize on new trends and directions in the field. Reaching out to new practitioners and scholars while also deepening relationships with current connections will be a key priority for the executive director. The executive director should serve as a major thought player in the field.
• Be a prolific relationship builder and fundraiser. The Executive Director will work with the Board to set annual fundraising goals, prioritize major donor cultivation, and leverage existing relationships to secure funding. The executive director will continue building relationships with foundations, corporations, and institutions to support its mission and fundraising goals. This will also involve grant writing and grant management.
• Successfully and positively manage the day-to-day operations of the foundation. The Executive Director will directly oversee two part-time staff members and coordinate with independent contractors as needed to execute programs and initiatives. From managing the operating budget, leading staff meetings, overseeing contract work and human resources, to ensuring NIFI is visible, communicates well, and is responsive to the needs of the NIFI network of practitioners and scholars.
• Oversee and grow NIFI’s programming and activities. Using the current strategic plan to guide strategy, the executive director will work with the Board to create the big picture of NIFI’s programming while also ensuring the quality and assessment of those activities. Setting the foundation’s strategy and rigorously assessing outcomes is a priority.

NIFI is committed to fostering a collaborative, innovative, and mission-driven workplace culture. We value openness, creativity, and a shared dedication to advancing deliberative democracy.

This is a full time 40 hour per week position. While NIFI is headquartered in Dayton, OH, this is a fully remote position. Candidates must reside in the United States and possess a US drivers license. This role requires travel to attend events, meet with funders and Board of Directors, and represent NIFI at 2-3 national and international conferences annually.

Required qualifications:

• 2-3 years of executive-level formal leadership roles in nonprofit, community engaged leadership, or higher education
• A track record of effectively leading and regionally and/or nationally scaling a performance- and outcomes-based organization and staff; ability to point to specific examples of having developed and operationalized strategies that have taken an organization to the next stage of growth
• Unwavering commitment to quality deliberation programs and data-driven program evaluation
• Evidence of successful grant writing and management in the broad field of democracy
• Supervisory experience with the demonstrated ability to coach staff, manage, and develop high-performance teams in virtual settings, set and achieve strategic objectives, and manage a budget
• Past success working with an active and engaged Board of Directors with the ability to cultivate existing board member relationships
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; a persuasive and passionate communicator with excellent interpersonal and multidisciplinary project skills
• Proficiency in virtual collaboration tools (e.g., Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Slack) and familiarity with project management software (e.g., Asana, Trello)
• Working knowledge of the field of deliberative democracy
• Nonpartisan perspective as it relates to the work conducted on behalf of NIFI

Recommended qualifications:

• Masters degree in a social science or liberal arts field, M.B.A, or Masters degree from a related discipline
• 3-5 years of nonprofit executive leadership or 3-5 years executive-level leadership in higher education
• Publications and/or presentations in the field of deliberative democracy
• Experience with managing public deliberation projects

NIFI is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, or any other status protected by applicable law.

To apply:

Send application ((download an application at https://www.nifi.org/en/executive-director-national-issues-forums-institute ), cover letter, and resume to Patty Dineen, NIFI Chief Administrative Officer, at careers@nifi.org. Questions regarding the position can be directed to Dr. Kara Dillard, Chair of the Board of Directors and search chair, via email to dillarkn@jmu.edu.